Increasing the Number of Generalist Physicians Practicing in Underserved Communities in Texas

Generalist Physician Initiative

The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston changed is curriculum to increase the number of generalist graduates overall and the number who ultimately practice in rural and underserved communities.

This project was part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's (RWJF) Generalist Physician Initiative, a national program that challenged schools of medicine to increase the supply of general internists, general pediatricians and family practitioners that they were training.

Key Results

Under the Generalist Physician Initiative, the medical school accomplished the following:

Conducted over 450 student recruiting events, including classroom presentations and career fairs.

Developed teaching sites in the community involving 600 physicians.

Collaborated with the state of Texas to create a state agency charged with physician recruitment and retention.

Created a faculty development program.

By 2000, 42 percent of medical school graduates were pursuing residency training in primary care and over 20 percent of residents were considering practicing in rural or inner city areas.